The Borough Gardens, Dorchester, Dorset

The Borough Gardens, Dorchester, Dorset The Gardens are located within a few minutes walk of the town centre with facilities including tennis The Gardens are open every day from dawn until dusk. W.E. T.
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The Borough Gardens were laid out to a plan by William Goldring of Kew, and were opened to the public on 30th July 1896. Although never closed the Gardens were ‘opened' again on 7th May, 2007 by oscar-winning local resident Julian Fellowes to mark the completion of a £1.4m plus restoration and refurbishment project funded in part by a grant of almost £1 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund. If y

ou would like to know more about the work of the HLF visit their website at http://www.hlf.org.uk/. The Gardens are located within a few minutes walk of the town centre and are wheelchair accessible from all entrances which are located on the corner between Albert Road and Princes Street, Cornwall Road, Bowling Alley Walk and West Walks. Facilities

Play area

There is a fully enclosed play area which has facilities for all age groups. The play equipment includes baby and standard swings, rockers, mini spinner, two different types of slide, multi play structure and seesaw. For warmer days there is also a splash pool! Adult Fitness Equipment

Near to the main (Albert Road) entrance to the Gardens is a range of adult fitness equipment which gives everyone the opportunity to keep fit without needing to pay a gym subscription - provided, of course, that you don't mind people looking at you while you are exercising and can stand the weather! Tennis Courts

There are four tennis courts open all year round and are available for public use at a very reasonable charge. Further details including how to book a court and the cost can be found by clicking here. Bowling Green

The use of the bowling green located at the southern end of the Gardens has been discontinued following the winding-up of The Gardens Bowling Club. We are presently considering what to do with it in the future so that it enhances the facilities available in the Gardens and benefits as many people as possible. We shall update you when we have made a decision. Community Room

The refurbished Borough Gardens House has a community facility located on the ground floor. There is a large room equipped with tables and chairs together with a kitchen and toilets and can be hired by the community for a multitude of uses. For further information on hire charges and how to book the room click on the 'Community Room Hire' button to the left of this screen. Refreshment Kiosk

The refreshment kiosk located at the northern end of the Gardens sells a range of light snacks and drinks at a very competitive price. The operators have a page Kiosk on the Green Borough Gardens

Public Toilets

The public toilets are located adjacent to the refreshment kiosk building and are open all year round during the Gardens opening times. Back to top

Special Features

Bandstand

The centrally located bandstand was donated by Col. Brymer MP as a permanent memorial of Her Majesty Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, and in acknowledgement of kindness received by him from Dorchester townspeople. It was designed by G.J. Hunt, the Borough Surveyor, and built by Messrs. MacFarlane and Co. of Glasgow for £200. The bandstand is still the focal point for live music and other events which take place in the Gardens over most weekends during the summer. Clock Tower

Close to the bandstand is an elaborate cast-iron clocktower painted in red, green and gold. There is an inscription recording the gift of the clock to the town by Charles Hansford in 1905. Fountain

There is a fountain in the north-east area of the Gardens. It is 16ft high with four seated lions backed by fern leaves supporting a 7'6" diameter basin, a column of three carved birds below a 4' diameter basin above, and an inverted scalloped basin with cherub and cornucopia on a flowered column at the top. It was donated by Charles Hansford in memory of G.J. Gregory JP, his brother-in-law and five times Mayor of Dorchester, and was officially named the Gregory Memorial Fountain

Tirah Memorial

In the north-west corner of the Gardens there is a stone obelisk known as the Tirah Memorial. It was erected in 1899 and dedicated to the memory of the non-commissioned officers and men of the 1st Battalion Dorset Regiment who died in the Indian Northwest Frontier (Tirah) Campaign of 1897-98. It was carved by Westcott of Dorchester. Shield Beds

There are three shield beds located near to the Cornwall Road entrance to the Gardens. Each year they are planted to commemorate anniversaries of local or national organisations and charities. Sundial

The sundial on the lawn below the bandstand is an analemmatic dial and is unusual because the user forms part of the dial system. In other words if you stand in the right place your shadow will tell you what the time is! Click here to download a children's guide to using the sundial. If you would like to know more about it click here instead.

The shield bed has been completed ahead of the 50th Celebration event in the gardens this Saturday.6,000 Plants have bee...
27/06/2024

The shield bed has been completed ahead of the 50th Celebration event in the gardens this Saturday.

6,000 Plants have been used, made up of Alternanthera, Echeveria and Senecio varieties.

It took the gardens staff a week to prep and profile the bed then plant, working off a board rig so as not to destroy the soil profile and structure.

Saturday’s event runs from 11am to 4pm, with a range of free activities including face painting, a bouncy castle and inflatable games.

🎵🚗 One Week to Go! 🚗🎵We’re counting down the days until this amazing fundraiser at Borough Gardens on July 7th! Enjoy in...
23/06/2024

🎵🚗 One Week to Go! 🚗🎵

We’re counting down the days until this amazing fundraiser at Borough Gardens on July 7th! Enjoy incredible performances from brass bands and jazz musicians, and check out the classic car display. All funds raised will benefit the Fortuneswell cancer ward at Dorset County Hospital. Don’t miss out on this wonderful community event! 🌟

Dorchester Artisan Market returns to the Borough Gardens this Sunday.
21/06/2024

Dorchester Artisan Market returns to the Borough Gardens this Sunday.

Dorchester Town Council is hiring! The Town Council is looking to recruit a Skilled Gardener to join the great team that...
18/06/2024

Dorchester Town Council is hiring!

The Town Council is looking to recruit a Skilled Gardener to join the great team that keep the Borough Gardens beautiful.

It’s a permanent, full-time position (37 hours per week), with an annual salary of £24,294.

The deadline for applications is 5th July.

More details can be found on our website:

https://www.dorchester-tc.gov.uk/

The Dorchester Choral Society have been warming up for their next free concert in the beautiful Borough Gardens taking p...
18/06/2024

The Dorchester Choral Society have been warming up for their next free concert in the beautiful Borough Gardens taking place this Saturday the 22nd at 7pm.
Come and enjoy a relaxing evening listening to some light classical music including a selection of favourite choruses from Handel’s Messiah as well as the quintessentially English music of Ralph Vaughan Williams. There will be solos from the talented Emily James as well as an array of popular arrangements penned by Gershwin, Cole Porter and friends.
Share a picnic, bring a chair and possibly an umbrella! 🎵🌺☂️
No ticket needed!
During the evening they will take up a cash bucket collection for Dorchester Poverty Action, Registered Charity No:1198452 - so do bring some change to donate to this wonderful project.
- Fallback in case of bad weather: Monday 24th June at 7.00pm.
Check www.DorchesterChoralSociety.org for up-to-date information. Any decision to postpone will be made around 3.00pm on the Saturday).

Tuesday and Friday 👀
17/06/2024

Tuesday and Friday 👀

Coming up in the Borough Gardens,
16/06/2024

Coming up in the Borough Gardens,

Today Kushti-Bok
15/06/2024

Today Kushti-Bok

This Saturday Kushti-Bok
13/06/2024

This Saturday Kushti-Bok

11/06/2024
10/06/2024

We have Dr Jazz performing on the Bandstand again this weekend!

Sunday 16th June, 2pm - 4pm ☀️

Job Vacancy in the Borough Gardens!🌸 Dorchester Town Council is looking for a trained and experienced Skilled Gardener.🌼...
10/06/2024

Job Vacancy in the Borough Gardens!

🌸 Dorchester Town Council is looking for a trained and experienced Skilled Gardener.

🌼 Salary as at 7 April 2024 £24,294, pay award pending.

🌻 37 Hours a week.

🌺 A job description,and application form can be found on our website:

The West Dorset Constituency NOTICE OF ELECTION for the UK Parliamentary General Election to be held on Thursday 4 July 2024, can be viewed here.

Today in the Borough Gardens, The Decadettes will be performing as part of events marking the 80th Anniversary of D-Day ...
08/06/2024

Today in the Borough Gardens, The Decadettes will be performing as part of events marking the 80th Anniversary of D-Day alongside the D-Day Immersive Theatre event.

This Saturday, 8th June, The Decadettes are performing in the Borough Gardens as part of our D-Day 80th celebrations fro...
07/06/2024

This Saturday, 8th June, The Decadettes are performing in the Borough Gardens as part of our D-Day 80th celebrations from 2.00-4.00pm.

They will be performing classic songs from the 1940’s alongside the immersive D-Day Theatre Trail.

We're so excited for the second instalment of our 'Summer Sessions' -  fantastic live music event this Sunday from 2 PM ...
07/06/2024

We're so excited for the second instalment of our 'Summer Sessions' - fantastic live music event this Sunday from 2 PM to 4 PM at the Borough Gardens bandstand!

Come enjoy the sounds of 'Fluke,' pop, rock, funk and soul classics from acclaimed South West musicians...

Bring your friends, family, and maybe a picnic to enjoy a lovely afternoon together. We can't wait to see you there!

03/06/2024

We have the wonderful Jeni from Space Yoga running yoga sessions in the park throughout the summer!

Join her on Monday mornings, from 9:30am - 10:30am in Borough Gardens.

Booking is essential via GymCatch.

www.spaceyogadorset.com/parkclasses

03/06/2024
We have Ruffdog Elliot kicking off our 'Summer Sessions' this Sunday 2nd June! Find this well known local 'punk-folker' ...
29/05/2024

We have Ruffdog Elliot kicking off our 'Summer Sessions' this Sunday 2nd June!

Find this well known local 'punk-folker' from 2pm-4pm on the bandstand. We can't wait!

Here is the programme of Borough Gardens events for this Summer!Lots of dates for your diaries, and all completely free....
29/05/2024

Here is the programme of Borough Gardens events for this Summer!

Lots of dates for your diaries, and all completely free. Now we just need some sunshine🌞🎼

29/05/2024
Getting ready for Summer !!This week has seen the start of the planting of summer flowers in the much loved gardens. The...
23/05/2024

Getting ready for Summer !!
This week has seen the start of the planting of summer flowers in the much loved gardens. The team have been hard at work trying to get them all planted despite the very heavy downpours that have been pushing through all week.
They can be seen taking advantage of today’s dry weather to plant out various types of bedding plants around the large Yew tree on the West Walks side of the gardens. Plant varieties include Cosmos, Canna, Lobelia and Ageratum. You can also see how the team try to avoid walking on the prepared soil by use of boards, in this way the soil structure remains at its best for the new plants to grow into. Planting will take place over the coming couple of weeks by which time we hope summer will be here.
These are the first plants produced in our on-site greenhouses to be kept warm by air source heating! The same system now also provides both heat and hot water to Borough Gardens House. Newly installed solar panels on the roof are supplying power to the community room which, along with the other facilities, is being internally redecorated before being available for hire again in the next few weeks. If you would like to enquire about one off or regular hire of the room complete with kitchen and toilet facilities, please contact us at [email protected] or by calling 01305 266861
All the team wish you a great bank holiday weekend, the gardens are looking very attractive for a visit and why not take in the Artisan market which is on site from 10 am until 3pm this coming Sunday, the 26th of May too.
Carl D

15/05/2024
Dorchester Town Council are pleased to be hosting this fun event at the beautiful Borough Gardens! 🎵
07/05/2024

Dorchester Town Council are pleased to be hosting this fun event at the beautiful Borough Gardens! 🎵

Have you ever missed out on going to an event that your friends forever talk about?

Don't let that happen to you this weekend.

Only 4 more days until STREET IN THE PARK on Saturday 11th May at Dorchester
Borough Gardens from 2 pm - 7.30 pm.

Immerse yourself in the sounds of the Up and Coming DJ Competition or the installation of the Working Boys Club who are touring this summer with their flagship project: Serving Sounds. There will be sign up opportunities for graffiti skills with Bristol graffiti art tutor Nick Halahan from Olas Art as well as performances by local dance schools and professional artists including Isaac Farmer and hip hop musician Isaiah Dreads.

Image credit: Jayne Jackson

Address

Cornwall Road
Dorchester
DT11RG

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Our Story

The Borough Gardens were laid out to a plan by William Goldring of Kew, and were opened to the public on 30th July 1896. Although never closed the Gardens were ‘opened' again on 7th May, 2007 by oscar-winning local resident Julian Fellowes to mark the completion of a £1.4m plus restoration and refurbishment project funded in part by a grant of almost £1 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund. If you would like to know more about the work of the HLF visit their website at http://www.hlf.org.uk/. The Gardens are located within a few minutes walk of the town centre and are wheelchair accessible from all entrances which are located on the corner between Albert Road and Princes Street, Cornwall Road, Bowling Alley Walk and West Walks. The Gardens are open every day from dawn until dusk. Facilities Play area There is a fully enclosed play area which has facilities for all age groups. The play equipment includes baby and standard swings, rockers, mini spinner, two different types of slide, multi play structure and seesaw. For warmer days there is also a splash pool! Adult Fitness Equipment Near to the main (Albert Road) entrance to the Gardens is a range of adult fitness equipment which gives everyone the opportunity to keep fit without needing to pay a gym subscription - provided, of course, that you don't mind people looking at you while you are exercising and can stand the weather! Tennis Courts There are four tennis courts open all year round, two of which were brand new in 2018. They are available for public use at a very reasonable charge. Further details including how to book a court and the cost can be found by clicking here. Community Room The refurbished Borough Gardens House has a community facility located on the ground floor. There is a large room equipped with tables and chairs together with a kitchen and toilets and can be hired by the community for a multitude of uses. For further information on hire charges and how to book the room click on the 'Community Room Hire' button to the left of this screen. Refreshment Kiosk The refreshment kiosk located at the northern end of the Gardens sells a range of light snacks and drinks at a very competitive price. It is open every day in the summer and at weekends during the winter.

Public Toilets The public toilets are located adjacent to the refreshment kiosk building and are open all year round during the Gardens opening times. Special Features Bandstand The centrally located bandstand was donated by Col. W.E. Brymer MP as a permanent memorial of Her Majesty Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, and in acknowledgement of kindness received by him from Dorchester townspeople. It was designed by G.J. Hunt, the Borough Surveyor, and built by Messrs. T. MacFarlane and Co. of Glasgow for £200. The bandstand is still the focal point for live music and other events which take place in the Gardens over most weekends during the summer. Clock Tower Close to the bandstand is an elaborate cast-iron clocktower painted in red, green and gold. There is an inscription recording the gift of the clock to the town by Charles Hansford in 1905. The clock tower was given a full redecoration in 2018. Fountain There is a fountain in the north-east area of the Gardens. It is 16ft high with four seated lions backed by fern leaves supporting a 7'6" diameter basin, a column of three carved birds below a 4' diameter basin above, and an inverted scalloped basin with cherub and cornucopia on a flowered column at the top. It was donated by Charles Hansford in memory of G.J. Gregory JP, his brother-in-law and five times Mayor of Dorchester, and was officially named the Gregory Memorial Fountain Tirah Memorial In the north-west corner of the Gardens there is a stone obelisk known as the Tirah Memorial. It was erected in 1899 and dedicated to the memory of the non-commissioned officers and men of the 1st Battalion Dorset Regiment who died in the Indian Northwest Frontier (Tirah) Campaign of 1897-98. It was carved by Westcott of Dorchester. Carpet Bed There is a decorative bed planted in “carpet bedding” located near to the West Walks entrance to the Gardens. Each year it is planted to commemorate anniversaries of local or national organisations and charities. Sundial The sundial on the lawn below the bandstand is an analemmatic dial and is unusual because the user forms part of the dial system. In other words if you stand in the right place your shadow will tell you what the time is! Click here to download a children's guide to using the sundial. If you would like to know more about it click here instead.


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